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Host nation Morocco overcame a anxious start to overcome Comoros in the competition's inaugural fixture on Sunday, with goals from the Real Madrid attacker and substitute El Kaabi in the second half.

It was a hardly emphatic showing, however, from the highly fancied hosts, who sit 97 places higher than the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to work tirelessly for the points in wet conditions at Rabat's national stadium.

Tense Beginning and Missed Chances

The hosts missed an first-half spot-kick and were goalless at the interval despite controlling the ball, eventually opening the scoring in the 11th minute of the second half.

It arrived after full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before laying it across for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot home.

“The first match is invariably tough but we delivered in the second half,” said Morocco coach Regragui.

The Substitute's Piece of Magic

The tension was then extinguished by a moment of pure genius from Ayoub El Kaabi. Only ten minutes after coming on, the forward connected with a cross with a spectacular overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the win.

Earlier in the match, the Moroccan team might have taken ahead in the 11th minute after a spot-kick was awarded for a challenge on Brahim Díaz. Yet, Soufiane Rahimi effort was kept out by keeper Yannick Pandor.

Comoros Defiant Stand and Second-Half Chance

The underdogs comfortably held Morocco for long periods until the hosts' greater quality eventually told.

Shot-stopper Pandor pulled off a number of other fine saves to limit the scoreline as the game wore on, although his team created a chance for an equalizer shortly after Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing straight at keeper Bounou.

Fitness Worry for Hosts

The victory was partially marred by an apparent injury to Morocco's skipper, Romain Saïss, who limped off after the first half in tears.

The centre-back had only returned to the national side last month after a year’s layoff due to a serious ankle operation.

This result extends the team's record-breaking run of successive wins to nineteen, surpassing the previous record of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.